PNP members implicated in Jamaica lotto scam

(Jamaica Gleaner) Head of the Lottery Scam Task Force Superintendent Leon Clunis has described deputy mayor of Montego Bay, Michael Troupe and the Councillor for the Salt Spring Division, Sylvan Reid as major players in the lottery scam.

Michael Troupe

Troupe, his two sons and Reid were detained by the task force during predawn raids at their houses in St. James yesterday.

Superintendent Clunis said an illegal gun, J$380,000, US$10,000 and other items were also seized.

Superintendent Clunis said the People’s National Party Councillor (PNP) is also a close friend of Kenrick Stephenson, who was arrested by the task force in May.

Reid is a first-time councillor for the PNP, while Troupe was re-elected on the party’s ticket in the March Local Government polls.

In the meantime, in responding to the arrests, Minister of National Security Peter Bunting, who is also the PNP general secretary, said no politician accused of any wrongdoing will be treated above the law.

The People’s National Party (PNP) says it views with grave concern the arrests of two of its members, who are councillors in the St. James Parish Council.

In a media release today chairman of the PNP Robert Pickersgill said the party was committed to the fight against crime.

“Both as a political party and as Government, we remain committed to the fight against criminality and will fully cooperate with the security forces to reduce and eliminate criminal activities in the country.”

The PNP, however, said it accepts the principle of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and the right of those arrested to have their day in court.

Pickersgill went on to say “The People’s National Party will offer no protection to any of its members or supporters who are engaged in criminal activities and will not seek to interfere or influence the work of the security forces in this regard.”

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